As we drive to Miami, we don’t talk much about the confrontation I’m certain hovers not too far over the horizon. Part of me knows Desi’s dedicated to me. He’s wearing his ring, isn’t he?
Part of me still replays Freddy’s barbs in my head and wonders if I made the right decision.
I hope I did. I love this man and want to spend the rest of my life with him.
Late Thursday evening, we’ve just arrived at his condo when his personal phone rings.
He groans and answers. “Hi, Mom.”
I leave him there in the living room and head to his bedroom, to the master bathroom there. I don’t want to listen to him talk to his mother. All I want to do is get a good night’s sleep so we can kick butt in the morning. We’re picking up the moving truck on the way to the office. We brought some boxes with us, so we can get started on the kitchen tonight, but the bulk of the moving will take place tomorrow and Saturday.
I emerge from the bathroom to find him sitting on the end of the bed and looking morose. “Well?”
“Mom and Dad are on their way over here.”
My gut tightens. “And?”
“I’m going to tell them when they get here.”
I don’t know what to say to that, so I stare at him and wait for him to continue.
“Freddy just left their place, sobbing his heart out to them.” He looks disgusted. “Obviously, his story bears little resemblance to the truth.”
Relief fills me and I walk over to sit on the end of the bed next to him. “And?”
“I told her Freddy’s a liar and if they want the truth they need to come here now.”
“You told them to come over?”
“Yeah. I’m not waiting. They already know something’s up.” He reaches for my hand and laces fingers with me. “You’re still stuck with me.”
I tightly squeeze. “Do you want me to leave while you talk to them?”
“Absolutely not. You’re my fiancé and I love you.”
My heart swells with joy. That’s the first time he’s used that particular word within my earshot, at least.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He frowns. “Wait, did you worry I’d—”
I silence him with a kiss. “I love you—stop talking.”
Twenty minutes later, the door buzzer sounds and I’m standing next to Desi when he opens the door.
His mom reacts first and instantly. “What are you doing here?”
“Hello, Mrs. Keiser. Long time, no see.”
“Desiderio, what is the meaning of this?”
Desi waves them in and closes the door behind them. “Let’s cut right to the chase—I’ve resigned from the firm and I’m moving back to Maudlin Falls to marry Tom. I’m listing the condo tomorrow.”
I don’t think we could have shocked her more if we’d both sprouted extra heads and eyeballs. “What? You can’t do that!”
“I already have done it, Mom.” He drapes an arm around my shoulders. “Freddy got fired because of a lot of things he’s done that are shady, not just because of what he tried to do to me. I was the last straw.”
“B-but you make so much money!”
